Licensure Exam Review Preparation

Our chapter brings you the best national trainer at the lowest price possible to help ensure you feel ready for your upcoming licensure exam! We offer this course multiple times per year as a full-day review session, allowing you to prepare for your licensure exam and earn CEUs (if licensed).

Update from NASW-MN (October 2024)

ASWB released its 2022 ASWB Exam Pass Rate Analysis in early August 2022, confirming glaring disparities in pass rates among racial and other demographic groups. NASW-MN does not support use of the ASWB exams in their current form and have advocated for significant changes to testing and regulation. The expansion of the Provisional License went into effect Oct 1, 2024, offering an alternate path to licensure in MN. However, as long as the exam remains an option, we will continue to offer this course at the lowest possible price to cover our costs, and provide you with great resources and strategies to prepare for your exam. We invite you to contact us at admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org with your concerns and questions about attending this course. If you've taken the exam and have not passed or have financial barriers to registering for this course, we invite you to contact us.

For more information about the Provisional License, see https://mn.gov/boards/social-work/applicants/applyforprovisional/.

Course Description

Our Licensure Exam Review Prep Course helps you prepare for your social work licensure exam by reviewing the structure and content of the exam, as well as strategies for test-taking. This includes reviewing sample questions and learning how to correctly interpret them, and learning how to avoid the most common pitfalls in order to increase your competence and confidence.

This course does not review specific content areas in depth; rather, it outlines the areas of knowledge, skills, and aptitudes that are covered on the exam, and discusses how you may asked about those areas on the exam. 

This course is for ALL exam categories; Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical.

The social work exam guide

Your registration includes your own Digital Access 6-Month Subscription to the Fourth Edition social work exam guide by Dawn Apgar (published by Springer Publishing; $129.99 retail value), which comes with digital access to additional study tools. This guide offers a wealth of test-taking strategies to foster exam confidence; includes a practice test that mirrors the exam (with explanations of the correct answers); and helps you identify weak areas so you will know what to focus on to pass the licensure exam.

Get access to a ton of study tools!

Registration for this course includes:

• Access to the 6.5 hour live review course with Dawn Apgar 
• Digital Access: 6-Month Subscription to exam study guide (Fourth Edition) from Springer Publishing*  
  • Contains material for the ASWB exam blueprint, including new content added in 2015 
  • Offers a wealth of test-taking tips and strategies to foster exam confidence Includes a practice test (with explanations of correct answers) that mirrors the exam 
• 6 months of access to ExamPrepConnect, a robust Social Work Licensure Learning Management System 
  • Set your exam date to generate a study plan 
  • Use flashcards and other study tools to review exam content 
  • Connect on a discussion board with full access to the author and others who are studying for the exam

About the trainer

Dawn Apgar, Ph.D, LSW, ACSW, and author of social work exam guides by Springer Publishing

Dawn Apgar has helped thousands of social workers across the country pass the ASWB examination in all categories of licensure, and has written the exam guides printed by Springer Publishing. Dr. Apgar has done extensive research on licensure and is currently chairperson of her state's licensing board. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of NASW and has been on its National Board of Directors. In 2014, the Chapter presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Apgar has taught in both undergraduate and graduate social work programs and has extensive direct practice, policy, and management experience in the social work field.

FAQs about the Virtual Licensure Exam Review Prep Course

About the course

Why is this course for all exam categories, and not just for my exam category?

This is not a content review course. This is a test preparation course that covers strategies for understanding, taking and passing the ASWB exam. These strategies are the same for all exam categories.

Why do I need to have my webcam on for the course?

You must have your webcam on for the entirety of the course. This course’s materials are copyrighted and given the nature of exam prep content, we are taking every step to ensure the course content’s fidelity. It is also beneficial to both instructor and attendee to engage in the course via webcam. 

Is this course being recorded?

No, this course will not be recorded. Please make arrangements to attend the course in its entirety; you will not have the opportunity to view anything missed.

Course Materials and Access

When will I receive my course materials?

Register (5) business days before the course date to ensure that you receive your digital materials before the course date. If you register after this period, you may not receive your digital materials until after the course date. Access to your digital materials are sent to the email address that you used to register for the course. *Please note that the course materials are not required to participate in the course.*

When will I receive my course access/Zoom link?

Course access/Zoom link will be sent to the email address provided during registration 7-10 days before the course date. Please check your spam/junk folders. We are not responsible for delays or non-receipt due to an incorrect email address or filtered/blocked messages. If you registered through the Social Work Online CE Institute, you can access the course from your My Account page.

Where will my materials be sent?

Information to access your digital materials will be emailed to the email address you used during registration. Please verify that your email address is correct.

How long will I have access to my digital materials?

You'll have 6 months to access your digital exam guide and resources. The 6-month period begins when you redeem your code that is sent to your email. 

Can I get a hard copy of the exam guide?

The digital-first access will be part of your course with Dawn Apgar (however you do not need your materials present during the course). You may make a purchase on the Springer Publishing Company for a hard copy of the exam guide. A discount code for the hard copy of the exam guide will be provided to registrants of the course.

Registration and Payment

When does online registration for course dates close?

You may register online anytime before the course begins. Register (5) business days before the course date to ensure that you receive your digital materials before the course date. 

Can I pay by phone for my registration payment?

If paying by phone, you must register by noon CST the day before the course date by calling 651-293-1935. You will need to make a credit card payment over the phone to register. Register (5) business days before the course date to ensure that you receive your digital materials before the course date. 

Can I mail a check for my registration payment?

Checks payable to NASW-MN can be mailed to PO Box 92, Backus, MN 56435. Payment must be received (5) days before the course date to secure your spot in the training and receive your digital materials. 

What is the refund deadline for this course?

A full refund can be issued for cancellations (5) business days before the course date. No refunds or credits will be issued after this date. Contact NASW-MN at admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org or 651-293-1935 to cancel your registration.